Kerala will host India’s inaugural Wedding and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) Conclave in Kochi from August 14 through 16, organisers said. The B2B event, led by the Kerala Travel Mart Society in partnership with the tourism department, aims to leverage the dual potential of wedding and MICE tourism to position the state as a global events destination.
Tourism and Public Works Minister P. A. Mohammed Riyas said the conclave seeks to transform Kerala into a global MICE and wedding hub by capitalizing on its natural scenery, cultural heritage, beaches and backwaters, as well as infrastructure and connectivity. He noted that Kerala hosted more than 1,000 destination weddings last year, reflecting post-pandemic growth in the sector.
Among the key features of the event:
- Inaugural session at Grand Hyatt, Bolgatty Island, on August 14 at 5 p.m., followed by meetings and seminars at Le Meridien in Kundannur on August 15 and 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Attendance expected to include around 360 domestic buyers, 40 international buyers and 65 Kerala-based sellers.
- Exhibition area to showcase wedding and honeymoon packages, conference venues, technical vendors and hospitality providers
- Expert-led training sessions, seminars on logistics and technology, and B2B matchmaking opportunities.
- Familiarisation tours to top Kerala destinations, including Munnar, Kumarakom, Kollam, Kovalam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Bekal.
Riyas said the conclave builds on the government’s post-COVID marketing efforts and that registrations are rising. “Events such as this will benefit venue owners, hospitality providers and transportation services,” he said.
Kerala Tourism Secretary K. Biju and KTM officials said the event will bring together wedding planners, conference organisers, convention centre operators and hospitality service providers under one roof.
The conclave follows Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s remarks at KTM-2024 that Kerala should emerge as a major global destination for weddings and honeymoons.
KTM Society President Jose Pradeep said the event aligns with that vision and offers a platform for marketing, networking and showcasing Kerala’s cultural and culinary heritage.
